MARRIAGES & DIVORCES

MARRIAGES

In 1996, 5,957 marriages were performed in Vermont, 43 fewer than
in 1995. The 1996 rate of 10.1 marriages per 1,000 population is
higher than the provisional 1996 U.S. rate of 8.8. Marriages between
two out-of-state residents accounted for 28.7 percent of the
marriages in Vermont.

There was the usual seasonal variation with more marriages
occurring in summer than in any other season. August was the most
popular month for marriages in 1996.

Just less than half (2936) of the marriages in 1996 were first
marriages for both bride and groom. Sixty percent were first
marriages for the bride and 63 percent were first marriages for the
groom. Remarriages for both bride and groom accounted for 25.8
percent of marriages in Vermont.

The percentage of civil ceremonies increased to 54.4 percent in
1996. This percentage has increased every year since 1990 when it was
47.2 percent.

DIVORCES

There were 2,522 divorces granted in 1996, a increase of two from
1995. This represents a rate of 4.3 per 1,000 residents, the same as
the provisional 1996 U.S. rate of 4.3.

The median length of marriages ending in divorce was eight years,
with a range of two months to 53 years. Fifty-nine percent of
divorces followed a separation of a year or longer. The median age at
the time of divorce was 35 for women with a range of 17 to 75 years.
The median age at the time of divorce was 38 for men with a range of
19 to 95 years.

In 1996, 52.7 percent of divorces involved at least one child
under the age of 18, and a total of 2,451 children were involved in a
divorce in 1996. This represents 1.7 percent of all children residing
in Vermont.